Entries Open for the Urban Future Prize Competition 2024 ($50,000 prizes)

This year, in addition to the Urban Future Prize Competition, the Urban Future Lab is introducing a new initiative called the Future Resilience Prize, which will specifically focus on climate adaptation and resilience. While most funding has historically been directed towards climate mitigation efforts such as reducing emissions, there has been a lack of support for innovations that address the adaptation aspect of the climate crisis. The UN estimates that there is a significant annual gap of $366 billion in climate adaptation financing.

Through the Future Resilience Prize, our aim is to highlight innovative solutions for climate adaptation and resilience, attract more private investment to this area, and make a positive impact on communities that are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. All other startups in the climatetech sector are still eligible to apply for our generalist track, known as the Future Solutions Prize. New York’s progressive state and city governments, thriving tech industry, and large market make it a leading hub for climatetech startups worldwide. The city serves as an ideal testing ground for developing sustainable solutions to the most urgent climate challenges.

The Urban Future Prize Competition

The Urban Future Prize Competition is in search of entrepreneurs who are establishing startups that make a positive impact on the environment by promoting resilience and sustainability. Two non-dilutive prizes, each worth $50K, will be granted to two companies that demonstrate the determination and purpose required to tackle the most significant challenge of our era.

The Future Solutions Prize is a category that welcomes companies from all climate sectors. Startups eligible for this prize focus on addressing climate change through technological advancements or innovative business models. The categories covered by the Future Solutions Prize include, but are not limited to: [categories].

• Smart Grid and Grid Flexibility
• Renewable Energy
• Energy Distribution and Storage
• Circular Economy
• Transportation and Mobility
• Buildings, Energy Efficiency, and Building Materials
• Thermal Batteries for Industrial Heat
• Climate Finance
• Investing and ESG

The Future Resilience Prize

The Future Resilience Prize centers its focus on climate adaptation and resilience. When assessing this prize track, we will give special consideration to the effect your solution has on vulnerable communities. Startups that qualify for the Future Resilience Prize are those that tackle climate change through technological advancements or innovative business models. The categories for this prize are extensive and encompass various areas, but are not restricted to any specific ones.

• Insurance Innovation
• Risk Modeling and Analysis
• Water Scarcity Solutions
• Heat Resistant Material Innovations
• Urban Infrastructure and Resilience
• Extreme Weather Vulnerability Solutions
• Advanced Warning Solutions
• Natural Ecosystem Resilience
• Public Health
• Adaptation Financing Solutions

Benefits of the Urban Future Prize Competition

• $50,000 Prize
• ACRE Incubator Membership
• Recognition and Opportunities